Introduction to Rod
Pumps:
Rod pumps are used in the oil and gas industry to
extract oil from a well that is no longer able to
flow under the formations own pressure. Rod pumps
are an efficient and cost effective method of
extracting oil, and extending the life of wells by
decades. Rod pumps are essentially exactly what they
sound like. A rod is attached to a surface driving
mechanism, and ran to the bottom of the well, where
it pumps formation fluids to the surface. There are
two main types of rod pumps, beam pumps, and roto
flex pumps. Both are very efficient in extracting
formation fluids, and each have their advantages.
History of Rod Pumps:
The first use of a pump for an oil well was actually
on the originally drilled oil well in 1859, by Edwin
Drake. For this pump, he borrowed a common water
well pump to extract oil from this 69 ft. well. This
application of a water pump is visible in today's
technologies of rod pumps.
Timeline of Rod Pumps:
1859- First oil well drilled and a traditional water
pump is used to extract oil
1875- "
Walker
Beams" were used to extract oil
1913- The "Simplex" Pumping Jack was introduced by
Oil Well Supply Company
1925- The modern rod pump was introduced by Lufkin
The
Original Lufkin Proto Type
http://aoghs.org/technology/oil-well-pump/